More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of parsley for these uses.

PARSLEY Side Effects & Safety

Parsley is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in amounts commonly found in food.

Parsley is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth as medicine, short-term. In some people, parsley can cause allergic skin reactions.

Consuming very large amounts of parsley is LIKELY UNSAFE, as this can cause other side effects like “tired blood” (anemia) and liver or kidney problems.

Also, parsley seed oil applied to the skin is LIKELY UNSAFE as it can cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun and cause a rash. Not enough is known about the safety of applying parsley root and leaf to the skin.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Parsley in food amounts is fine, but parsley in larger medicinal amounts is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy. Parsley has been used to cause an abortion and to start menstrual flow. In addition, developing evidence suggests that taking An-Tai-Yin, an herbal combination product containing parsley and dong quai, during the first three months of pregnancy increases the risk of serious birth defects. If you are pregnant, stick with using only the amount of parsley typically found in food.

Not enough is known about the safety of using parsley in medicinal amounts during breast-feeding. It’s best not to use more than typical food amounts of parsley.

PARSLEY Interactions

Warfarin (Coumadin) is taken to thin the blood and slow blood clotting. Large amounts of parsley leaf might increase blood clotting. Taking parsley along with warfarin might decrease how well warfarin (Coumadin) works to thin the blood.

Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with PARSLEY

Parsley seems to work like a "water pill" by causing the body to lose water. Taking parsley along with other "water pills" might cause the body to lose too much water. Losing too much water can cause you to be dizzy and your blood pressure to go too low.

Some people are allergic to parsley. Aspirin might increase your sensitivity to parsley if you are allergic to parsley. This has only been reported in one person. But to be on the safe side, if you are allergic to parsley do not take aspirin and eat parsley.

PARSLEY Dosing

The appropriate dose of parsley depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for parsley. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Muller, M. and Anke, M. Distribution of cadmium in the food chain (soil-plant-human) of a cadmium exposed area and the health risks of the general population. Sci Total Environ 11-25-1994;156(2):151-158. View abstract.

Rostkowski, J., Borawska, M., Omieljaniuk, N., and Otlog, K. [Content of nitrates and nitrites in early vegetables and potatoes sold in the marketplace of Bialystok in the year 1992]. Rocz.Panstw.Zakl.Hig. 1994;45(1-2):81-87. View abstract.

Zommer-Urbanska, S., Bojarowicz, H., and Kuklinski, M. [Effect of emissions from the glass factory "Sudety" in Szczytna on the levels of lead and fluorine in selected vegetables and fruit collected in 1989]. Rocz.Panstw.Zakl.Hig. 1991;42(2):127-130. View abstract.

Zommer-Urbanska, S., Topolewski, P., Wojciech, P., and Bojarowicz, H. [Effect of emissions from the Household Glassware Factory (HGF) "Irena" in Inowroclaw on the levels of fluorine and lead in selected vegetables and fruit harvested in 1988]. Rocz.Panstw.Zakl.Hig. 1991;42(1):25-32. View abstract.

Abdelnoor, A. M., Batshoun, R., and Roumani, B. M. The bacterial flora of fruits and vegetables in Lebanon and the effect of washing on the bacterial content. Zentralbl.Bakteriol.Mikrobiol.Hyg.B 1983;177(3-4):342-349. View abstract.

Borawska, M., Omieljaniuk, N., Rostkowski, J., Otlog, T., and Hamid, F. [Value of nitrates and nitrites in selected vegetables and potatoes sold in the marketplace of Bialystok in the years 1991-1992]. Rocz.Panstw.Zakl.Hig. 1994;45(1-2):89-96. View abstract.

BRAILSKI, Kh, GR'NCHAROV, V., and MLADENOVA, Z. [Effect of parsley juice and decoction on the secretory and motor function of the stomach and on biliary secretion.]. Vopr.Pitan. 1963;22:13-17. View abstract.

Chaigneau, M. and Muraz, B. [Decontamination of some spices by ethylene oxide. Development of 2-chloroethanol and ethylene glycol during the preservation]. Ann.Pharm Fr. 1993;51(1):47-53. View abstract.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreaks of Shigella sonnei infection associated with eating fresh parsley--United States and Canada, July-August 1998. JAMA 5-19-1999;281(19):1785-1787. View abstract.

Insulander, M., de Jong, B., and Svenungsson, B. A food-borne outbreak of cryptosporidiosis among guests and staff at a hotel restaurant in Stockholm county, Sweden, September 2008. Euro.Surveill 12-18-2008;13(51) View abstract.

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